Benevolence is derivative of rational self-interest and the freedom to pursue it. When a man’s right to his life as an end in itself is upheld the effect (and cause) is respect for oneself and therefore others. This respect is translated into a general goodwill towards the human race and the desire to help others if it doesn’t require the sacrifice of one’s values or virtues.

and

If these organizations were doing such a great job why was it felt there was a need for altruism at gunpoint? The Great Depression being judged as too big a problem for private “self help” was one reason. However, Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” was launched during an unprecedented post-war boom.

Perhaps another reason was that private aid groups made the distinction between the “deserving” and “undeserving” poor. In other words, they were interested in helping those who helped themselves. This distinction is not acceptable to the consistent altruist. It implies that a man’s life is his own responsibility.

Finally, while I disagree with the sentiment expressed in Fallaci's quote in this post, I liked the graphic (reproduced below).

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Ideas cannot be fought except bymeans of better ideas. The battleconsists not of opposing, but ofexposing; not of denouncing but of disproving; not of evading,but of boldly proclaiming a full,consistent and radical alternative.
-- Ayn Rand